BATTLE GROUND — The sky opened up and began to weep as the names were read.
“Julius J. Bergman … Jack Hanley … Donald F. Thulin … Jeremiah J. Johnson.”
They all came from Battle Ground, and they all gave their lives for their country.
“These 31 sons, brothers and fathers we remember with gratitude,” said Battle Ground deputy mayor and 25-year U.S. Army veteran Philip Johnson.
Few of the 300 people gathered Wednesday at Kiwanis Park flinched when the rain starting pounding the new veterans memorial. Assembling in the wet cold was a small sacrifice to honor those who sacrificed so much more.
“This is the same call that’s been heard by each generation from the 1700s to today,” Johnson said while dedicating the memorial. “And that call remains the same.”
Vets and many of their families and supporters from throughout north county gathered for the Veterans Day dedication, and the enthusiasm and gratitude were obvious. Those in the audience couldn’t help but quietly sing along to the national anthem, with even one toddler throwing his vocal chords in.
Speeches were given, as they always are, and a wreath was set as taps was played.
“Because of what you have done here — our men and women in uniform — we get to be free,” said U.S. Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler, R-Camas.
It took six years to raise the $42,000 for the impressive wall and plaza at Kiwanis Park — and it all came from donations.
The names of the fallen are engraved on the wall, while other veterans’ names are carved in bricks at its base.
There are also plaques detailing the history of each war and quotes from generals and Founding Fathers.
“What we’ve learned reading books and watching John Wayne movies … they’ve lived it and we’re better for it,” Johnson said while thanking the veterans who came to the ceremony.
One Amboy woman said she appreciated the plaques detailing the history of the wars.
“I think it’s really neat,” Sophie Somers said of the memorial. “My friend has a brick in there, and my kids are volunteering today.”
David Alt of Orchards held a sign you couldn’t miss: “Thanks to those who served.”
He wasn’t allowed to enlist himself, he said, but he remains committed to supporting veterans.
“If this country has learned anything in the past years, it’s to gather around and to support our boys,” he said.
One woman stopped and looked awhile at the names of the war dead. Her shirt read, “All gave some, some gave all. RIP Andrew Shields.”
Shields, who died in the war in Afghanistan, had been a mentor to her son. The boys had gone to high school together, and her son is now a firefighter in large part because of Shields.
“They’ll never forget that last talk he gave at the station,” she said.
